Annual payment - a one-off payment in advance to cover a year’s insurance. This is the cheapest way of obtaining cover.

Annual policy - all Photoguard policies, even when paid by direct debit, are annual policies and cover you for a full 12 months unless cancelled by either party under our standard cancellation terms.

Associates - this is our term to describe other people you wish to include on your public liability/personal accident cover. These can be assistants or colleagues but they must be resident in the UK. You can only add associates if you take out our Photoguard Pro policy.

Commencement date - the date that the policy starts.

Depreciation - due to the limited life expectancy of portable laptops we apply a deduction to any claim for wear, tear and depreciation on any laptop over 18 months old.

Equipment case - either

a purpose designed rigid bodied case where the interior has been specially formed to fit the equipment or

a purpose designed padded case bought from a recognised supplier of photographic equipment.

Evidence of ownership - to pay out for an insurance claim, we need to be certain that you were/are the owner of the insured items. Evidence can be shown by, for example, an original receipt clearly showing the item and date of purchase. Alternative evidence can include a bank or credit card statement, photographs, a copy receipt from the retailer, packaging or literature.

Excess - this is the amount of money that you contribute towards the cost of a claim. With Photoguard there is a £50 compulsory excess as standard on your equipment insurance, but you can choose to pay an increased voluntary excess – and doing so will provide a discount on your premium.

There is a £500 excess for claims made for damage to a third persons property (this only applies if you have taken the public liability option).

Flexicover - a policy unique to Photoguard PRO. If you only take up to 50% of your equipment value away from your home or studio, your premium is reduced. All your equipment is insured but you only pay extra for what you use at shoots outside of your insured location. Hire cover and £1 million public liability/personal accident cover is included as standard.

Forcible and violent entry - entry to a property that clearly shows damage to the lock, building, room or vehicle, caused as a direct result of theft.

Hire of equipment - Photoguard's version of a courtesy car! Photoguard cover ensures that you are able to continue shooting even if your equipment is stolen or damaged. We will pay for the hire of alternative equipment (up to £1,000 or if you have chosen Photoguard Pro up to £2,000) whilst yours is awaiting repair or replacement (subject to an approved claim).

In vehicle - this covers your equipment whilst transported in a vehicle. When at the insured location the insured property must be removed from the vehicle. This does not cover your equipment whilst in transit unless it is kept in a purpose designed equipment case. See also security requirements.

Insured location - this is a single, specified place where you store your equipment, typically your home or studio. See also policy wording.

A locked rear storage area of a hatch-back, four wheel drive, MPV, SUV or estate car, subject to a factory fitted cover being in place (where the cover isn't available, items must be kept out of sight)

A locked rigid bodied van, mini bus or camper van providing the windows have been obscured and providing any items are in a compartment of the vehicle that is not accessible from the drivers area or, where the compartment is accessible, kept out of sight.

A rigid body fully enclosed trailer attached to a vehicle by a shackle bolt.

Mechanical Breakdown - This provides cover for any electronic item (up to five years old from date of purchase from new) against failure due to a mechanical, constructional, electronic or electrical defect. If you select this cover there is the standard £50 compulsory excess for each and every item.

Period of insurance - the length of time for which you are covered, all Photoguard policies run for a period of 12 months even when being paid by monthly direct debit.

Personal accident - if you have an accident whilst using your equipment, this provides cover up to £5,000 for death & permanent total disablement and £2,500 for loss of limb or eye.

If you have taken our PRO cover, the cover limits are extended to: up to £10,000 for death & permanent total disablement and £5,000 for loss of limb or eye.

Personal liability - this is the same as public liability.

Photographer - our collective term to describe people that use film, digital or video cameras (camcorders), binoculars, telescopes and other related audio visual equipment.

Policy summary - this is a brief outline of the terms and conditions including any significant exclusions or conditions of an insurance policy. The summary is not a substitute for reading the full policy wording.

Policy wording - this sets out in full the terms and conditions of your insurance cover. It is essential that you read the wording and comply with any terms and conditions it sets out. We have made it as straightforward as possible to read and understand.

Much of the information provided on this site is for guidance – only the relevant policy wording can be taken as a binding contract.

Premium - the amount you pay (either a single amount in advance or by credit agreement with Thistle Insurance Services Limited) to provide annual insurance cover for your photographic equipment.

Professional indemnity - this provides cover so that in the event that you find yourself in a dispute with a client, your professional indemnity cover will pay the cost of defending any allegations or claims made against you for negligence or breach of duty of care (for instance loss or destruction of film or digital storage media).

Public liability - this provides cover against damage to persons or property caused by your proven negligence. Photoguard Select offers £1 million cover as an option unless you have chosen Photoguard PRO which includes £1 million cover as standard with every policy (you can choose to upgrade this to £2 million or £5 million).

With Photoguard PRO you can also extend this to cover colleagues and assistants.

Replacement value - this is the price an item would normally cost new in a store including VAT rather than a specially discounted or sale price.

For vintage and rare equipment you should obtain a specific valuation. The valuation should be from a reputable source and not more than 12 months before your commencement date. It is advisable to obtain a new valuation at least every three years, to take into account any market changes in value during the period.

Serial number - the unique code that identifies that item of equipment. It is essential that we have the serial number for any item valued over £250 for Photoguard Select or £750 if you have chosen Photoguard PRO. You do not need to have the number in order to take out cover, but the serial number (and proof that it relates to the item insured) will be required in the event of a claim.

Specified items - we need you to identify any individual items over £250 in value. These are your specified items, all other items are added as an overall value under .

Sum insured - this is the total value of your equipment.

Terms of business - the basis on which you do business with us. Click for more information.

Third-party liability - this is the same as public liability.

Unattended - whilst the equipment is not being held or used by you or a responsible adult, the items must be kept in a locked room or cupboard on in a locked luggage compartment.

Unspecified items - to save you time, we don’t need to know every little item in your gadget bag, so we only ask that you give us a total amount to cover these items.

Items must be over £30 and under £250 in value.

Voluntary excess - an excess is the amount you contribute towards the cost of a claim. Paying a voluntary excess will reduce your premium BUT in the event of a claim, this is the amount that you will have to contribute.

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